2017 SIA State of Satellite Industry Report

Each year, SIA publishes the leading analysis of the satellite industry’s economic performance.

The 2017 State of the Satellite Industry Report is SIA’s 20th annual summary of the industry. The report is derived from proprietary surveys of satellite companies, in-depth public information, and independent analysis which are combined to assess the performance of four satellite industry sectors: satellite services, satellite manufacturing, satellite launch services, and satellite ground equipment.

During 2016, the growing importance of the industry was once again underlined by both the continued increase in the sheer number of operational satellites in orbit and by the announced plans for new satellites with increased capabilities as well as multiple constellations. By the end of the calendar year, 1,459 satellites were operational compared with 1,381 at the end of 2015. This represents an increase of 47 percent over the past five years.

The 2017 State of the Satellite Industry Report includes the following results:

Satellite services revenues remained as the largest industry segment and were consistent from 2015 to 2016, reaching $127.7 billion, powered by consumer satellite television, satellite broadband and Earth observation services.

Satellite Launch Services Industry revenues, which include revenues for all commercially-competed launches that occurred in 2016, increased by two percent to $5.5 billion after decreasing by nine percent from 2014 to 2015. The U.S. had the largest share of commercially-procured launch revenues (40%), with 32% of global revenues from launching U.S. government satellites

For U.S. Government Offices looking to arrange an industry briefing or for more information regarding SIA’s State of the Satellite Industry Report, please contact Charity Weeden, Sr. Director of Policy, SIA at cweeden@sia.org